Love and Affection chapter 16

Bette was sitting at her office and hoping that there would be an emergency of some sort with her new show for next week.  She groaned knowing that tonight was her debut as part of Tina’s soccer team.  Tina was thrilled that Bette wanted to try out her sport and Tina would swim more to keep Bette’s goal to do her triathlon this year.  Bette looked over at her gym bag and new cleats.  “Fuck, what was I thinking?  I haven’t played since high school..?  Shit at 35 can I do this?”  James walks in, “Do what Bette?”  Bette looked over, “Hey James, nothing I told Tina I would play on one of her teams and I think bit off more than I can chew.”  James laughed, “Bette I am sure you will do fine, if not perfect.  You are Bette Porter remember?”  James looked up to Bette and wanted to be a partner rather than her assistant one day.  “Bette, I need your advice on er, your recommendation for my master program?  I am…uh trying to get into MFA program at USD.  If…uh you have time to..”  Bette cuts him off, “Of course James.  I had no idea?!  What type of MFA?”  “Well it is in art history and a combo actually with business.”  Bette is very impressed that James is wanting to go into what Bette does as well and smiles.  “You bet, James, you do such a good job here I will have to beg you to stay once you are done.”  James was thrilled and thought his dreams were coming true.  “Great I will get you the forms this week.  Oh, Tina called earlier when you at your meeting.  Sorry I just remembered, but she just was calling about not chickening out tonight..hehe”  Bette playfully chucked a paper clip at him.  “Right like I could forget if I tried.  Thanks, I will call her back.”  James left with confidence and chuckled, “Can’t wait to hear the results of Bette playing soccer.”  “I heard that James!”  Bette yelled, laughing.

“Hey, T, what’s up babe?”

“Bette, are you sure you want to pay tonight?  This is a tough team.  I just want to make sure you want to play?”  Tina sounded like she cared and didn’t want to bring in Bette to her sport unless she was comfortable with it.  Tina was worried that Bette would think Tina was too competitive.